Linear insulator with alternating nonconductive sheds and conductive shields

Abstract

An improved linear or rod insulator for electrically insulating a first electrical potential from a second electrical potential. The improved linear insulator comprising a nonconductive cylindrical linear core member having a conductive first mounting means secured to a first end of the core member and a conductive second mounting means secured to the second end of the core member. The first and second mounting means being attached to a first and a second electrical potential, respectively. The improved linear insulator further comprising a plurality of nonconducting disc shaped toroidal sheds coaxially secured to said core member, and a plurality of conducting bowl shaped toroidal shields coaxially secured to said core member and positioned alternatingly with said sheds so that each of said sheds is located intermediate two of said shields. The improved linear insulator may further include a linear resistance means extending the length of said core member and electrically attached to the first and second mounting means and to each of said conducting shields whereby said shields have an electrical potential determined by the magnitudes of said first and second electrical potentials and by the position said shields are attached to said resistance means.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An improved linear insulator for electrically insulating a first electrical potential from a second electrical potential which comprises: (a) a nonconductive core member having a first mounting means secured to one end of the core member for connecting to said first electrical potential and a second mounting means secured to the other end of the core member for connecting to said second electrical potential;   (b) a plurality of nonconducting sheds coaxially secured to the core member; and   (c) a plurality of conducting shields coaxially secured to the core member and alternatingly positioned with said sheds so that each of said sheds is located intermediate two of said shields, the central portion of the upper surface of each of said sheds being in contact with the central portion of the shield immediately above said shed, and the central portion of the lower surface of each of said sheds being in contact with the central portion of the shield immediately below said shed, each of said shields extending radially outwardly and downwardly then upwardly so that the outer perimeter of the shield is outside the shed immediately above said shields.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sheds are nonconducting, toroidal and disc-shaped. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sheds are nonconducting, toroidal, and hollow cone-shaped. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sheds are spaced apart and wherein each of said shields includes an upwardly extending vertical annular wall and an upper radially extending lip, said upwardly extending wall being in full and continuous circumferential contact with said core member, the radial lip of each of said shields being in contact with the inner portion of the lower surface of the shed immediately above each of said shields, and gradually arcing away from said lower surface, and said shield being in contact with the inner portion of the upper surface of the shed immediately above each of said shields and gradually arcing away from said upper surface. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sheds are spaced apart and wherein each of said shields includes a downwardly extending vertical annular wall and a lower radially extending lip, said downwardly extending wall being in full and continuous circumferential contact with said core member, the radial lip of each of said shields being in contact with the inner portion of the lower surface of the shed immediately above each of said shields, and gradually arcing away from said lower surface, and said shield being in contact with the inner portion of the upper surface of the shed immediately above each of said shields and gradually arcing away from said upper surface. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a means for effecting electrical contact between the first electrical potential and the uppermost shield, and means for effecting electrical contact between the second electrical potential and the lowermost shield. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said core member further comprises a linear resistance means extending the length of the core member, said resistance means being for passing current between the first electrical potential and the second electrical potential. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said shields is in electrical contact with said resistance means. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said resistance means is a high resistance carbon material deposited over the surface of said core member. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outer perimeter of each of said shields extends outside and above the lower portion of the shed immediately above each of said shields.